Mercedes-Benz GL-Class voted "SUV of the Year 2007"

STUTTGART/LOS ANGELES - November 13, 2006: Motor Trend magazine has
voted the Mercedes-Benz GL 450 the best SUV of the year 2007. The GL came
out on top, beating off a field of 22 competitors. This accolade is all the
more impressive as this is the first time Mercedes-Benz has been
represented in this market segment, dominated largely by its American
rivals. The editorial team looked at all the new models launched over the
past 12 months. This accolade is testimony to the compelling concept of the
seven-seater premium off-roader, which unlike many of its U.S. rivals
manages to combine solid off-road performance with superior on-road
properties and outstanding ride comfort.

Motor Trend editor-in-chief, Angus MacKenzie, sums up the GL-Class:
“The first full-size sport/utility from Mercedes has astonishing
technology … and it will be available in a version that runs on the
new low-sulphur diesel fuel for greater gas mileage.” A package that
should enable the GL to build on its leading position in the full-size SUV
segment in future. The GL-Class not only beat off its U.S. rivals but also
forced Japanese, Korean and German products down the rankings.

The editorial team had 22 contenders to judge in the SUV
segment, their largest field to date. In addition to extensive on-road
testing on the public highway, test sites and off road, the test criteria
also included an assessment of functionality, build quality, spaciousness
as well as equipment and appointments. Technical innovations were also
evaluated, looking at areas such as powertrain, active and passive safety,
and design. Another important test criterion was value for money,
particularly important among U.S. consumers. MOTOR TREND first appeared in
1949. It is now one of the world’s largest motoring magazines with a
circulation of 1.1 million copies that reach an average 7.1 million
readers. By scooping the “SUV of the year 2007” the GL has just
notched up its second major award in the U.S. market. Earlier in mid-2006
the equally prestigious “Car & Driver” magazine voted the GL
the winner in an extensive SUV comparative test.

Mercedes-Benz GL: superior off-roader in the premium segment

The seven-seater premium off-roader GL is already a compelling global
phenome-non thanks to its excellent dynamic handling and finely tuned
luxury-saloon comfort both on and off-road. 4MATIC permanent all-wheel
drive gives the GL-Class superior handling whatever the conditions.
Together with the standard-fit AIR-MATIC air suspension, the precise
speed-sensitive power steering and the Adaptive Damping System (ADS), also
part of the standard specification, the imposing GL (wheelbase 3075 mm)
handles superbly. The GL-Class sets another milestone in the shape of the
PRE-SAFEŽ safety system. Mercedes-Benz is the only car manufacturer to
offer such technology in this market segment.